Teacher Feature: Rebecca Ringquist

If you think embroidery is just for anti-macassers and edging lace onto pillows for a trousseau, you are missing all the action. 

There's a whole new game afoot of drawing, painting and creating with needle and thread and we are stoked that Brooklyn-based Rebecca Ringquist is joining us again at squam next week to share her coolio techniques to make your needles fly.

I mean, seriously-- check these pieces out. Totally rad.

You may be wondering, what in the samhill goes on in the head that creates such inspired textures and imagery? Well, git along little pony and read the interview Jen conducted with her below.

Let's take a peek into that wild mind, shall we?

:: :: ::

Where were you born?

I was born in Western Michigan in a small town right on the big lake.

Describe yourself in 5 words...

I am punctual, creative, kind, organized, and frugal.

What sounds calm you?

Water makes me feel really centered and good.

What kind of flowers would be in the perfect bouquet for you?

Lily of the Valley.

Describe your ideal vacation.

On the coast of Maine in a small cottage with a wood stove at the edge of the ocean. No internet, no cell phones, no radio and no tv. Just books, easy crossword puzzles, gin rummy, my sketchbook and gouache paints, binoculars for watching whales and birds, and my partner Katy.

What colors are carried throughout your home?

Our place doesn't really have a color theme, but rather a lot of patterns....tons of bark-cloth curtains and floral patterned rugs, souvenir state plates on the walls in the kitchen and art from friends on the walls.

What is something you would like to learn to do?

I would love to be able to effortlessly and miraculously play the banjo.

What is something you are really good at?

I love cooking, and I think I'm pretty great at it. Since my artwork takes a long time to finish, at the end of the day in the studio it feels so good to start and finish cooking dinner in a relatively short period. For me, it's a really satisfying accomplishment. Lately I pride myself at being able to take a quick inventory of the freezer, fridge and pantry on the weekend and figure out a list of seven delicious things that we can eat in a week with just a few extra things from the coop. It helps that we have a chest freezer in our dining room, and that I spend all my free time in the summer canning pickles and jam for winter treats.

What song or cd has been getting some serious play time at your house?

It's NPR in the studio all day long, but the Yeah Yeah Yeahs album It's Blitz! is on in the kitchen when I'm cooking dinner.

When you were younger, what was your favorite candy/snack at the movie theater?

Popcorn with lots of butter.

What was the best part of your day?

I'm in California this week, so the best part of my day was going to the incredible Berkeley Bowl and rounding the corner into an aisle of fresh picked strawberries. The produce here is incredible.

thank you Rebecca!  see you at the lake-- xoxo, bisous, e